Chapter 60 The Play Was Lived Once
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Vierne started with the practice of her dance. The first ten minutes of their play was an only drama where they'd show Rasputin, enacted by another boy, growing up and his early childhood, where he'd steal and commit small crimes. The scene changed with older Rasputin played by Lict which had scenes of him meeting his wife and then setting off as a pilgrim. Then he learned about prayers and there were parts of him joining a secret society where he gained his healer powers. Wherever he'd walk, all the women would follow him. Finally, he meets the emperor Nikolai II Alexandrovich Romanov, enacted by another one of his classmate, his spouse—Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, enacted by Vierne and their son Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia, enacted by Grigory. All this was supported by themed background music.
Then there's a waltz performed by Queen Alexandra and Rasputin where they show them coming closer and all the others dressed up as popes and peasants gossiping about them as they danced. Rasputin guides the king on what to do as he dances with the queen. While prince Felix Yusupov, enacted by Galkin, looks down at them from the towers.
In the last five minutes, they all sing a song while enacting the rest of the play. At the end of which, Rasputin was assassinated by Prince Felix and in the chaos, Alexandria is killed along with the rest of the royal family.
The practice began in full swing with the dances, the dialogues and the making of props like the poisoned wine glass and the gun. Vierne met Grigory. He said he wanted to talk to her about something. They sat at a corner in the dance room while Ms Sophie taught the dance steps to Lict.
Vierne, did you know that Lict had magic within him? Grigory asked.
She nodded, I knew that magic was real! He said, So, what is he?
A star spirit,
I've never heard of those. I won't tell anyone.
She didn't say anything, Oh, before I forget—I broke up with Dasha.
Yeah, I know. She told me.
Vierne? Is something wrong? He looked at her.
What do you want, Grigory? She asked. She sounded cold as she looked at her shoes, No literally, what do you want? Why do you talk to me?
Because I like to talk to you, He smiled.
Why do you like it?
I like it because it makes me happy. Ever since I've met you and talked to you, I'm beginning to like myself. And I like this feeling of becoming stronger. Besides, I like your smile. Very few people have a smile like that and very lucky ones can see it. And guess what—I'm lucky too now, Vierne.
She looked at him and smiled, You are nice, Grigory. You might be the only mortal I like.
Mortal? He laughed, You talk as if you aren't—He gasped, You're—
Her eyes shone blue.Vierne...
They turned dull again, You were right, Grigory. Vierne said, Magic exists.
Why don't you tell others about Magic? You can even convince them since you exist! Grigory suggested and Vierne smiled nervously.
It took us a lot to make humans believe that we don't exist.
But why?
Because not everyone deserves to know about it.
But you told me.
That's because I feel like you deserve to know it. You believed in us even when the world said you're wrong. And I like rebels.
Vierne! Come, I'll tell you your steps now! Ms Sophie shouted.
Vierne got up, I shall leave now, mortal
Grigory laughed, Yes, your highness.
The costumes were prepared and finally, everyone was asked to try their costumes one day prior to the performance. Vierne wore a huge pink and white gown while Lict wore a black frock coat. All the girls squealed as he came out of the dressing room, Is it good? Ms Sophie asked.
Yeah, the fitting is perfect. Lict smiled.
Rasputin was hot! Lict is perfect for it! The girls gossiped.
I wanted to be Queen Alexandra.
Me too. Vierne is so lucky.
Vierne came out of her dressing room and Lict looked at her, Milady! You look like a bride. Lict smiled.
Why did they have to make it white?! Vierne shouted.
That's nice. It'll just feel like a marriage. Lict smiled.
Rasputin had black hair. We'll put a wig. Ms Sophie said.
That night, Vierne took a walk in the garden humming a melody while touching the blue roses.
Why do I always meet you here? She recognised the voice.
This might add up to another mystery. She looked at him, knowing it was Akagi.
He looked at the roses, The play is finally tomorrow. After that, it's midterms and then the winter school begins.
Yes. This year is passing way faster.
I hope you've memorised all your dialogues.
You know, Lord Akagi, ever since I was a child it's been very difficult for me to memorise things. I tend to forget names, people or even the moments I share. If I want to remember then I have to repeat them in my head again and again. And when I do that, I look at a moment from every perspective.
Why are you telling this to me though?
Because lately, I've been thinking about the play. How Grigory Rasputin was a healer. And some say he was immortal.
That's just rumours—
Maybe. Or maybe he was a healer spirit. Wujin had a healer spirit. Nobody knows where he went—Because nobody tried to look for him.
Akagi looked at her, Maybe, he came to Russia? Passed down his powers to his people? I don't know why but I feel strangely connected to everything. Like some strings are pulling and I have to go. Vierne looked at the sky.
Where?
Tsarskoye Selo.
You're thinking too much.
I may be but what if we find something there? Lord Akagi—
Goodnight Vierne.
He left her standing in the garden. She looked at the sky. It was a new moon. A fortnight more and then it would be a lunar eclipse. Time was going by and she wasn't getting anywhere. Just fifteen more days till Lict's seal broke and nobody seemed to care.
Vierne couldn't sleep that night.
Next day, she and Lict sat inside their respective dressing rooms getting their makeup done. She wore a blonde wig and her white dress. She walked out of her room and looked at Lict. He wore a black wig and his coat. He looked at her and felt an odd feeling in her chest.
Milady, you really look like a queen. He smiled. She pressed her hands on his face and he blushed.
You look better with darker hair. Melissa squealed and Viene left his face.
Really?
No, I like you as a blonde, Vierne said.
Lict, the play is starting. Ms Sophie took him away. Vierne followed them. She felt strange while looking at him but she just couldn't take her eyes off of him. The auditorium was full of people but she was the focus and gave a perfect delivery of lines. Finally, the song came in and everyone clapped. Akagi and all the other teachers stood at the end of the auditorium, enjoying the play. As they narrated the tale, Vierne started feeling anxious. She looked at Lict who stood before Galkin.
Galkin looked just like Prince Felix and Lict looked just like Rasputin. He shot him three times and Lict fell on the floor. Vierne saw similar scenes suddenly flood her mind, flash like an old television screen. She felt a knife on her back and shouted. Everyone surrounded her and she fell on the floor.
They picked her up and went aside while everyone in the audience clapped. But nobody knew it wasn't an act anymore, she had fainted for reals.
Milady!
-To be continued
